Data Assimilation - Basic Theory - Lecture 1

Explore the fundamental concepts of data assimilation in this comprehensive lecture, the first in a series on Data Assimilation – Basic Theory. Delve into the mathematical approach used by leading operational weather forecast centers worldwide to estimate accurate atmospheric states and uncertainties. Learn how data assimilation integrates observations and short-range forecasts, and discover its applications beyond weather prediction, including climate monitoring and understanding through historical data reanalysis. Gain insights into the crucial role of data assimilation in investigating processes within Land, Atmosphere, and Oceans domains. This lecture, presented by Varahan from the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, serves as an essential foundation for understanding the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of data assimilation techniques in weather and climate modeling.